CHEWIN' THE FAT

Chewin' The Fat - Ford Kiernan & Greg Hemphill December 2001

Originally a radio show on BBC Radio Scotland, this classic sketch show made the jump to TV in 1999 and clocked up four series and a run of Hogmanay specials. Starring Greg Hemphill, Ford Kiernan and Karen Dunbar, the show was rammed full of brilliantly observed Glaswegian characters, such as The Big Man, The Banter Boys and Rab McGlinchey, who interpreted news "for the neds". The real stars turned out to be Jack and Victor though, the mischievous OAPs who needed up in their won series, the massively popular Still Game.

CITY LIGHTS

City Lights with Gerard Kelly & Billy Connolly January 1989

Running from 1986 to 1991, City Lights was a where most people first discovered the considerable talents of the late, great Gerard Kelly, who starred as Willie Melvin, a frustrated bank teller with dreams of becoming a novelist. Backed by a strong supporting cast like best mate Chancer (Andy Gray) and his mate Tam (Ian McCall), smarmy co-worker Brian (Jonathan Watson) and bank manager and boss Adam McLelland, played by the immense Dave Anderson., City Lights was like a who's who of Scottish comedy in the late '80s.

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TAGGART

Mark McManus actor as Inspector Taggart tv programme

One of the all-time great detective shows, Taggart was the jewel in the crown for Glasgow telly for years, from it's inception in 1983 to it's final series (it's 27th!) in 2010. Starring Mark McManus in the iconic title role, Taggart brought a gruff, no-snash and very Glaswegian attitude to the world of crime telly, up until his untimely death in 1994. The show kept on going though, maintaining the quality with James MacPherson (who played DI Mike Jardine) stepping up to lead a cracking ensemble cast of folk like Colin McCredie, Blythe Duff and John Michie.

RAB C NESBITT

Part street philosopher, part sensitive big b*stard, but all dole-scrounging jakey, Rab C is arguably the most iconic Glasgow character to ever appear on our screens. Mixing outrageous humour with real moments of pathos, the Govan-set show boasted an immense cast of characters, from Mary Doll and weans Gash and Burney to best pals Jamesie and Ella Cotter, each one as well-rounded and believable as they were grotesque and flat-out hilarious.

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SCOTCH AND WRY

Rikki Fulton as Reverend Rev I M Jolly Scotch & Wry

Ask any Glaswegian (or any Scot for that matter) of a certain vintage to name one programme that sums up Hogmanay and there's only one answer you'll get - Scotch And Wry. A showcase for the comedy genius (aye, genius) of Rikki Fulton, the sketch show tore into anything and everyone, from the church (The brilliantly gassed Rev. I.M. Jolly), Glasgow's sectarian divide (as well as regular potshots at Celtic and Rangers) and poor old STV, before usually finishing with a dig at The Hogmanay Show, which was due to follow directly after on BBC1 Scotland. It finished up in 1992 and Hogmanay has never been quite the same ever since.

STILL GAME

Easily the biggest show to come out of Scotland in decades, Still Game started life as a stage show before Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan brought the concept to the small screen in Chewin' the Fat, but it was their own show that really made them an institution. Jack, Victor, Winston, Isa, Navid, Boaby and Tam have all become household names, a testament not just to the quality of actors portraying them, but to the brilliant writing that gives heart and soul to what could easily just be one-note jokes. It ran for only six series from 2002-2007, but made a triumphant return this year with series 7, on the back of a massively successful stage show at the Hydro in 2014 which ended up being extended into a 21-night run.

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BURNISTOUN

Iain Connell and Robert Florence closed the gates on their fictional Scottish town on the outskirts of Glasgow in 2012 after three years, during which they had established themselves as two of the smartest comedy writers in the country. Characters like internet weirdo Jolly Boy John and "quality polis" MacGregor and Toshan were brilliantly observed and perfectly delivered, meaning every new soghting of the characters, whether on stage or screen, is greeted like a minor second coming by legions of fans.